What $2,000 rents in Seattle, other major cities

Published 11:38 am, Thursday, August 20, 2015

For $1925, you can rent a 2BR/1BA loft in Portland, OR. Photos: Zumper https://www.zumper.com/apartment-buildings/215519/central-eastside-lofts-kerns-portland-or

For $1925, you can rent a 2BR/1BA loft in Portland, OR. Photos: Zumper https://www.zumper.com/apartment-buildings/215519/central-eastside-lofts-kerns-portland-or

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This is 815 square feet of space in Portland. Photos: Zumper

This is 815 square feet of space in Portland. Photos: Zumper

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View in Portland. Photos: Zumper

View in Portland. Photos: Zumper

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Bath in Portland. Photos: Zumper

Bath in Portland. Photos: Zumper

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1 of 2 beds. Portland. Photos: Zumper

1 of 2 beds. Portland. Photos: Zumper

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Roof deck. This building also offers bike storage and washer/dryers in units. Portland. Photos: Zumper

Roof deck. This building also offers bike storage and washer/dryers in units. Portland. Photos: Zumper

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Moving now to Seattle. For $1995, you can get a 619 square foot 1 B/1 BA-- with a view!! Photos: Zumper https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/5421539/1-bedroom-broadway-seattle-wa

Moving now to Seattle. For $1995, you can get a 619 square foot 1 B/1 BA-- with a view!! Photos: Zumper https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/5421539/1-bedroom-broadway-seattle-wa

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The living room in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

The living room in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

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Living room in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

Living room in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

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Kitchen in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

Kitchen in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

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View from the kitchen (iconic Seattle!). Photos: Zumper

View from the kitchen (iconic Seattle!). Photos: Zumper

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Location with a view in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

Location with a view in Seattle. Photos: Zumper

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In Los Angeles, you can rent a 2 bed, 1.5 bath 750 abode in Echo Park for $1950 a month. Photos: Zumper
https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/9313662/2-bedroom-greater-echo-park-elysian-los-angeles-ca

In Los Angeles, you can rent a 2 bed, 1.5 bath 750 abode in Echo Park for $1950 a month. Photos: Zumper
https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/9313662/2-bedroom-greater-echo-park-elysian-los-angeles-ca

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Living room/kitchen in LA. Photos: Zumper

Living room/kitchen in LA. Photos: Zumper

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Closer in the kitchen. LA. Photos: Zumper

Closer in the kitchen. LA. Photos: Zumper

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Bedroom in LA. Photos: Zumper

Bedroom in LA. Photos: Zumper

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Bath in LA. Photos: Zumper

Bath in LA. Photos: Zumper

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Washington D.C. may list this rental studio at $1950, which makes it one of the pricier cities on the list, but the studio feels a little bit more like 1 bedroom. Clever floorplan in a turn-of-the-century building. Photos: Zumper https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/7981921/studio-logan-circle-shaw-washington-dc less

Washington D.C. may list this rental studio at $1950, which makes it one of the pricier cities on the list, but the studio feels a little bit more like 1 bedroom. Clever floorplan in a turn-of-the-century ... more

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Inside the D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

Inside the D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

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Another view, D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

Another view, D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

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Closer in on kitchen in D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

Closer in on kitchen in D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

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One more view of D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

One more view of D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

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Bed space in D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

Bed space in D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper.

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Bath, D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper. Washer/dryer also in unit.

Bath, D.C. studio. Photos, Zumper. Washer/dryer also in unit.

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In Austin, TX, you can rent a 2 B/2 BA unit in this complex. Along with pool is a gym (complete with free yoga and spin classes!), business center and conference room. Photos: Zumper https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/7092468/2-bedroom-riverside-austin-tx less

In Austin, TX, you can rent a 2 B/2 BA unit in this complex. Along with pool is a gym (complete with free yoga and spin classes!), business center and conference room. Photos: Zumper ... more

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Inside, 1,121 square feet in Austin. Rent: $2049 per month.

Inside, 1,121 square feet in Austin. Rent: $2049 per month.

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Austin kitchen. Photos: Zumper

Austin kitchen. Photos: Zumper

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New York, you used to be the most expensive in the USA, but now San Francisco is. Still, NY isn't cheap, as this studio on Delancey St. proves. Rent: $1975. Photos: Zumper
https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/8719126/studio-lower-east-side-new-york-ny less

New York, you used to be the most expensive in the USA, but now San Francisco is. Still, NY isn't cheap, as this studio on Delancey St. proves. Rent: $1975. Photos: Zumper ... more

And now, San Francisco. To our eyes, this is the saddest offering: a 240 square foot studio on Octavia in Hayes Valley renting for $1950 a month. Photos: Zumper.
https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/9420306/studio-hayes-valley-san-francisco-ca less

And now, San Francisco. To our eyes, this is the saddest offering: a 240 square foot studio on Octavia in Hayes Valley renting for $1950 a month. Photos: Zumper. ... more

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Same SF studio, different view. Photos: Zumper.

Same SF studio, different view. Photos: Zumper.

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SF studio bathroom. Photos: Zumper.

SF studio bathroom. Photos: Zumper.

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For $1975 a month in Indianapolis, IN, you can rent a whole house (one that perhaps you could invite the ghost of Liberace over to: 8137 Hewes Place. Photos: Zumper.com
https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/9220258/2-bedroom-allisonville-indianapolis-in less

For $1975 a month in Indianapolis, IN, you can rent a whole house (one that perhaps you could invite the ghost of Liberace over to: 8137 Hewes Place. Photos: Zumper.com ... more

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Garage and extra parking as well in Indianapolis. The home is an a community with a pool. Photos: Zumper.com

Garage and extra parking as well in Indianapolis. The home is an a community with a pool. Photos: Zumper.com

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Inside, over 2,000 square feet. Quirky living room and one of two fireplaces in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com.

Inside, over 2,000 square feet. Quirky living room and one of two fireplaces in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com.

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Kitchen/dining in plush white! Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Kitchen/dining in plush white! Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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White on white kitchen in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

White on white kitchen in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Retro dining and valances! Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Retro dining and valances! Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Another fireplace! Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Another fireplace! Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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One of two bedrooms, this one with swirly ceiling. Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

One of two bedrooms, this one with swirly ceiling. Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Retro crazy stairwell, Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Retro crazy stairwell, Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Huge closet in Indianapolis rental. Photos: Zumper.com

Huge closet in Indianapolis rental. Photos: Zumper.com

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1 of 3.5 baths in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

1 of 3.5 baths in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Laundry room too in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Laundry room too in Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Another patio view, Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Another patio view, Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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Patio, Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

Patio, Indianapolis. Photos: Zumper.com

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What $2,000 rents in Seattle, other major cities

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Though San Francisco's average one bedroom now rents for $3,500, not every American city asks so much for so little.

In fact, the average rental price for a one bedroom in Sacramento is $900; in Charlotte, N.C., it's $980; in Albuquerque, N.M., it's $580. But in most major American cities, rents are up this August, many by double-digit increases year-over-year, a depressing fact studied recently in Zumper's National Rent Report.

What does the nation's rent market look like, comparatively?

We decided to go with $2,000 to answer this question, because a) what this dollar amount rents across the nation varies wildly; and b) this is a lot of money! Consider that in the most recent census data available (September, 2014), the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the country's real (inflation adjusted) median household income was $51,939. So if that household is paying $2,000 a month in rent, it's also paying almost half its income to housing—well over the recommended percentage for healthy budgeting.

So what can you rent for around $2,000 in 10 of the nation's major metropolises? We looked at San Francisco, Austin, L.A., Chicago, Portland, Seattle, New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Indianapolis. The gallery above will show you: At this price level options run the gamut from a 2,400-square-foot home to a 240-square-foot studio.

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert